Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China in northern China is actually a series of walls and fortifications made of earth, stone, wood, and brick. Built between the 5th century B.C. and 16th century A.D., the Great Wall is 5,500 miles long. It was built, rebuilt, and expanded by successive dynasties in order to protect the Chinese Empire’s northern border from the league of nomadic tribes known as the Xiongnu and other foreign invaders. During times of defense, the signal towers helped aid communication among the Chinese armies.

The wall averages 26 feet high and 20 feet thick. It was first built using local materials of earth, stone, and wood. Later construction employed the use of brick. While it is a magnificent structure, the Great Wall of China was built at the expense of up to three million Chinese who died during the construction of the wall.

List of the seven wonders of the medieval world:

1. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
2. Stonehenge
3. Colosseum
4. Porcelain Tower of Nanjing
5. Hagia Sophia
6. Leaning Tower of Pisa

Return to seven wonders of the Medieval world list

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